Majestic Scheffler wins Hero World Challenge by six shots

World number one Scottie Scheffler rounded off a memorable 2024 when he clinched his ninth win of the season by retaining the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

The world number one went into the final round a shot adrift of Ryder Cup teammate Justin Thomas, who was bidding to end a two-and-a-half year winless streak.

But despite playing his first event for three months, Masters and Olympic champion Scheffler proved a class apart, closing with a blistering, bogey-free nine under 63 to win by six shots from Tom Kim on 25 under.

“Yeah, very satisfying,” said Scheffler, who also won The Players , the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the RBC Heritage, the Memorial Tournament, the Travelers Championship and the Tour Championship to claim the FedExCup.

“You know, I did a lot of good stuff today on the course. Played really solid, I got off to a good start.

“And, yeah, it feels nice to take a little break and come back and continue to play some pretty solid golf. I’m very pleased with the results this week.”

Thomas and Scheffler birdied the first but Scheffler walked off the fourth a shot in front of the overnight leader as he birdied the third and made another birdie from 49 feet at the fourth to get to 19-under.

The Texan doubled his lead when Thomas, who followed a bogey at the second with a birdie at the fourth, dropped another shot the fifth.

Scheffler birdied the ninth and 10th to lead by two from Kim, who went on to birdie the last for a 68 and solo second on 19 under.

He then birdied the 13th, 14th and 16th to take a five-shot lead to the 18th where he rifled his 174-yard approach to three and a half feet to set up his ninth birdie of the day.

Thomas, who was chasing his first win since the 2022 PGA Championship, shot 71 to finish seven behind Scheffler on 18 under.

The world number one was ranked second for putting on the final day as his new hybrid putting method - a conventional grip outside 10 feet and a saw grip inside that distance - paid dividends.

His next challenge is The Showdown at Shadow Creek on Tuesday where he partners Rory McIlroy against LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

Asked how he’d reflect on 2024, he said: “I'm not really sure. You know, go home celebrate Christmas with the family.

“We’ve got the match next week in Vegas, so it should be a lot of fun as well. Some good competition.

“But overall, yeah, just head home tonight and try and get some rest and continue to work on the stuff I’m  working on this off season to get ready for next season.”